Honolulu is a major city
just like any other large city in the United States. It just happens to
reside on one of the most luxurious island chains that was ever created.
It offers a melting pot for cultures from all over the pacific and is
quite diverse. It is also the gateway for fabulous Waikiki Beach.

The ship docks at Aloha Tower, which
is in downtown Honolulu. Aloha Tower is approximately half way between the
airport and Waikiki Beach.

Where is the shopping?

To begin with, Aloha Tower has ample shopping and
restaurants and bars right at the foot of the gangway to satisfy just about anyone. However if you want
more shopping, you can make your way to Ward
Warehouse, the Ala Moana Shopping Center (once the largest shopping center
in the world) and then continue on into Waikiki where you could spend a
week and not hit all of the stores, boutiques, shops and kiosks. Of
course, Waikiki's famed "International Market Place" is not to be missed
offering hundreds of unique and one-of-a-kind boutiques.

What
is there to buy?

Ala Moana Shopping Center
has International stores that you would find in the finest malls
throughout the world so you would expect to find the finest in jewelry,
fashion designs and the basic necessities. Waikiki offers unlimited
shopping for just about everything under the sun. All Hawaiian products
(aloha shirts, tee shirts, candles, soap, macadamia nut products, Maui
chips, bathing suits, surf related products, Hawaiian arts and crafts) and
everything else you can imagine.

What
is there to do?

Oahu is
home to numerous attractions from Sea Life Park on Oahu's South side to
the Polynesian Cultural Center located on Oahu's north west side. By all
means, I suggest that you arrive early and stay late for your cruise as
there are numerous things do do on Oahu. First and foremost, no trip to
Oahu is complete without touring Waikiki Beach. This Mecca for sun
worshipers is, with a doubt, one of the most famous beaches in the world.
At the very heart of Waikiki Beach lies Kuhio beach. Over the last several
years Kuhio Beach has had a complete make over to the tune of millions of
dollars. Mush of the history and legend of Kuhio Beach has been captured
in the Water and Streetscape treatments that enhance Waikiki. A heiau
(ancient place of worship) waterfalls, tide pools, foliage and walkways
have all been added to create a surreal experience along the ocean side of
Kalakaua Avenue.

Sightseeing in Honolulu is quite easy. The city bus system follows a route
between the airport and Waikiki and announces the sights available at each
stop. If you want to go see the Arizona Memorial, the bus will tell you
where to get off, ditto for just about every other attraction. The only
catch to the bus is that you may not bring luggage on board. If you are
debarking in Honolulu and spending a night or two, just grab a taxi to
your hotel in Waikiki and then grab one of the buses that say "Honolulu"
or "Airport" to hear the various announcements. There are tour operators
located on just about every block of Waikiki offering everything from
fishing, scuba diving, submarine rides, sailing excursions, luaus, visits
to island sights like city tours, Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Park
and so on. You could spend a month in Waikiki and still not see it
all.

Without a doubt, you
should treat yourself and whomever you are traveling with to a dinner at
Michele's at the Colony Surf Hotel. This restaurant has been a tradition
in Waikiki with locals for the past 30 years and continues its superb
reputation as the best place to eat in Hawaii. Their menu is to die for (a
perfect blend of Hawaiian dishes blended with continental cuisine) and the
view of Waikiki accross the ocean at night is the best Hawaii has to offer. Michele's at the Colony Surf is located
towards Diamond Head on the other side of Queen Kapiolani Park. Be
sure to make reservations and if there is a special occasion, request an
ocean front table. Michele's is not cheap, but it is a once in a lifetime
memory and is the very essence of Waikiki and Hawaii.

Waikiki Sunset

A favorite bar
with locals and tourists alike is "The
House Without a Key" at the Halekulani Hotel. Sunsets here are met with a
reasonably priced glass of wine or other cocktail, unlimited Maui Chips and authentic
Hawaiian entertainment. Whenever I am in Waikiki, I head over to the Halekulani Hotel at about an hour before sunset to settle in for the daily
event.

An honorable mention would be the Banyon Bar at the Moana
Hotel. Located right on Waikiki Beach under a huge Banyon tree, this bar allows
one to relax in the unique environment of one of Waikiki Beach's oldest
hotels right in the middle of it all.